Assistant U7-u16s Sports Therapist

**Hours**: Full time, 37.5 hours per week, any 5 out of 7 days, including home and away Academy match days.

**Location**: The Training Ground, Nottingham, NG2

**Key Tasks and Responsibilities**

Reporting to the Head of Academy Medicine, this post is open to qualified physiotherapists, sports therapists and graduate sports rehabilitators and is expected to involve contributing significantly to both the Medical and Sports Science departments to optimise the availability and enhance the long-term athletic development of Nottingham Forest Academy players through optimal service provision in the medical department. The role will require the individual to assist in the medical management, co-ordination and supervision of the U7s-U16s players, alongside U7s-U16s Physiotherapist and Academy Head of Medicine, including all aspects of medical screening, injury assessment, diagnosis, management and prevention strategies in line with evidence-based practice. To assist the Academy Head of Medicine in the management of part-time members of staff and organisation of medical and rehab provision.

**Management of Injuries**:

- To co-ordinate and delivery physiotherapy services for the U7s-U16s age groups
- To lead on the treatment and management of injuries sustained to all players in the U9s-U16s, working closely with the performance staff to co-ordinate and deliver evidence and performance-based rehab programmes
- To standardise the management of injuries by assisting in the development and structure of injury rehabilitation protocols and philosophy
- To monitor the effectiveness of injury management principles through clinical injury audits and training availability
- To ensure effective, appropriate and thorough communication of injury updates are provided to the player, coaching staff and other relevant staff members
- To assist the Academy Head of Medicine and Academy physiotherapist in the provision of physiotherapy services across all age groups and to oversee the use of part time physiotherapists and sports therapists in their provision of medical care to all players in the Academy

**Injury Prevention**:

- To provide musculoskeletal screening/profiling for all Academy players and integrate this with the Club medical records
- To lead the musculoskeletal screening/profiling for all U9s-U16s players and assist with the process for all Academy players and integrate this with the Club medical records
- To work alongside the performance staff in order to deliver individualised effective injury prevention strategies in both individual and group sessions
- To liaise effectively with the Academy coaching staff on a daily basis in order to keep them informed of players’ availability for Academy matches and training
- To work alongside the performance staff in order to deliver first class recovery and injury prevention strategies to all players both immediately after games and on recovery days
- To ensure all players are educated on the importance of recovery, health and athletic development

**Pre-Signing Medicals & Medical Consultations**:

- To assist and co-ordinate the pre-signing medical assessments of all Academy players and trialists as required including the writing of formalised pre-signing medical reports
- To assist the Head of Academy Medicine in escalating clinical cases for imaging and/or consultant referrals
- To accompany players to medical consultations at short notice either in this country or abroad. Ensuring best practice is followed at all times and ensuring the player receives optimal care and advice, providing clinical handovers pre and post appointment
- To assist the Academy Doctor and Academy Head of Medicine in co-ordinating the cardiac screening for the U15s squad in line with FA regulations

**Medical Provision at Matches/Training Sessions/Tours**:

- To co-ordinate and provide emergency match day cover for all U7s-U16s Academy games and assist other age groups when needed
- To organise and implement the medical provision for all training camps for the U7s-U16s squad as required
- To ensure all medical equipment and procedures are regularly reviewed and maintained at the training ground and at all training and match venues under the guidance of the Academy Head of Medicine

**Management Responsibilities**:

- To take an active role in all medical meetings, MDT meetings and other planning meetings
- To take a mentoring role within the department, working as a mentor for part-time medical staff and being pro-active with assisting CPD for the part time medical staff
- To manage the rota for medical provision for part time medical staff
- To assist in the production of an injury audit on a monthly and annual basis for the Academy and feedback to provide accountability for the department and actively seek to follow best practice
- To ensure appointments are made for consultations and appropriate travel arrangements made for all Academy players as required, ensuring the 1st Team Medical Depart